At Paladin Security, we strongly believe in advocating for and empowering women. The Harmandeep Kaur Women in Security Scholarship was created to do just that – help provide women opportunities to succeed in the security industry while also honouring Harmandeep Kaur, a beloved Paladin Security Officer who died in February 2022.
We are pleased to announce that Patricia McLeod-McDonald is the 2024 recipient of the Harmandeep Kaur Women in 
Security Scholarship. Patricia is a mobile supervisor at our Kelowna branch who is also pursuing her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a major in Business Management. Patricia immigrated to Canada from Jamaica, where she was a police officer.
"This scholarship will be a gateway to future success with the hope that one day I will be a successful business owner and able to give back to even more women who chose a career in this industry," Patricia said.
Juggling a busy life
Patricia goes to school during the day and works the night shift as a mobile patrol supervisor. She is also a wife and mom to a two and an 11-year-old and is the first to admit that life can get hectic.
"People often ask me how I do it, why I chose to work night shifts as a security guard, and if I'm scared. My answer to those questions is that I have to do what needs to be done to feed my family, and if that is working nights, then that's what I will do," Patricia added. “On some days I go with just three hours of sleep in the mornings when I get off, but on a normal day when there are no plans, I get a chance to rest up and then cater to my household needs.”
The struggles of being a female in a male-dominated industry
Patricia admits that at one point during her previous career, she was the only female working at her station, she faced many negative comments and wasn’t treated the same as her male counterparts. While others received promotions based on recommendations from higher commands, Patricia used hard work and perseverance to move up the ranks.
“I did my job professionally and respectfully. I was always punctual and didn’t miss work because of not feeling well or not having a babysitter,” Patricia said. "I'm most proud of the fact that I’m an outstanding female in a male-dominated industry, and the fact that through all the challenges I faced, I can still progress and haven’t given up.”
Paladin’s CARE Culture
Being respectful is something Patricia displays every day. It’s a value she deeply believes in and credits for bringing her to where she is today.
“They say respect is a two-way street, but it always starts with yourself. There have been times in the past where I have been disrespected, but I know I just always maintain the highest level of professionalism,” Patricia said.
Being accountable is also important to her, which includes taking responsibility for her actions.
“I’ve had instances where I’ve messed up at work and I'm asked to explain what happened, and instead of not being honest or playing the blame game, I explain what went wrong and apologize,” Patricia explained. “Taking responsibility for one’s actions shows that you are genuinely sorry and will take the necessary steps to ensure that such actions won’t resurface.”
Advice to other women in the industry
“I’ve done mentoring in the past and always told my fellow females to be strong and stand up for what they truly believe in. At the end of the day, success does not come easy, and it’s much more appreciated and beneficial when it is achieved through hard work and determination,” Patricia said.
What the scholarship means to her
The Harmandeep Kaur Women in Security Scholarship is presented by Paladin Security annually on March 8 to an individual in BC who upholds Harmandeep’s legacy and Paladin’s CARE values by sharing the same passion for education, career advancement, and advocating for women in security. Being chosen as this year’s recipient led to mixed emotions for Patricia.
“It’s a bit sad to think of how this scholarship came about, but I think based on the person I heard Harmandeep was, she'd be happy that I was the one chosen for this scholarship, which means a lot to me. It also shows that Paladin is a diverse organization that believes in equality and justice for all.”
Congrats, Patricia! Your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed!
